Provided is an image coding method that partitions an input image signal into processing units, and that codes the partitioned image to generate a code sequence. In particular, the image coding method determines a partitioning pattern for hierarchically partitioning the input image signal in order starting from a largest unit of the processing units, generates partition information indicative of the partitioning pattern, and codes partition information. The partition information includes maximum used hierarchy depth information indicative of a maximum used hierarchy depth which is a hierarchy depth of a deepest processing unit of the processing units included in the partitioning pattern.